It's the end of an era for the walk-off knockout king in the Octagon.
Mark Hunt has his final UFC bout set against Justin Willis at UFC Fight Night Adelaide, but this may not be the end of Hunt's fight career.
Recently, Hunt has spoken out against the UFC and has filed a lawsuit toward the promotion due to Brock Lesnar's failed PED test at UFC 200. Lesnar won a grueling decision over Hunt. Hunt felt UFC knew Lesnar was on performance-enhancing drugs and let the fight happen anyway.
The 'Super Samoan' held an 8-7 record in the UFC against some of the world's top heavyweight competition and fought in some of the division's most exciting bouts to date.
We look at five memorable knockouts from the UFC career of Mark Hunt.
Mark Hunt vs. Chris Tuchscherer at UFC 127
Hunt was brought into the UFC after the promotion's acquisition of Pride. It was unusual for the UFC to sign Hunt, who was on five-fight losing streak at the time. UFC offered to buy out Hunt from his contract, however it was declined as Hunt chose to fight out his deal. This extended to a six-fight losing streak after the New Zealander was submitted in his promotional debut.
It was do or die for Hunt heading into his fight against Tuchscherer in the UFC's sophomore excursion to the land down under.
The former K-1 Grand Prix champion dominated the striking exchanges against Tuchscherer in the first round, opening a huge cut on his eyelid. Tuchscherer would end up landing a desperate takedown on Hunt to close out the frame.
It was the beginning of the end for Tuchscherer who would continue losing the striking exchanges against Hunt. The Super Samoan would shut the lights off after landing a huge uppercut on the chin of Tuscherer, faceplanting the Team DeathClutch member for his first UFC victory and first Performance Bonus.
Mark Hunt vs. Cheick Kongo at UFC 144
After an embarrassing win over Ben Rothwell at UFC 135, and being one half of the reason UFC is hesitant to book heavyweights for fights in elevation, Hunt was finally given a beneficial match up against another striker. Hunt was scheduled to face Cheick Kongo in the UFC's return to Japan since twelve years prior at UFC 29.
Kongo was looking to extend his undefeated streak to five fights after losing to future UFC champion Cain Velasquez and a massive Frank Mir, who was looking for a rubber match against Brock Lesnar.
Hunt thrilled his longtime Japanese fans by stunning Kongo with punches and finishing the fight early in the first round.
Mark Hunt vs. Stefan Struve at UFC on Fuel TV 8
Hunt was originally scheduled to face Struve at the all-heavyweight main card of UFC 146, but withdrew due to injury for the first time in his career. Fortunately, when UFC returned to Japan the following March at UFC on Fuel TV 8, the fight was rescheduled once again.
Hunt entered the fight at 12.5 inch reach disadvantage, and was 14 inches shorter than his opponent. Struve entered the fight as a 2:1 favourite over Hunt.
In true Super Samoan fashion, Hunt defeated the odds. After being threatened in Struve's guard for two rounds, Hunt unleashed heavy punches in the third. Breaking through the Dutchman's guard while backing him up toward the cage, Hunt lands a strong right to the chin of Struve, crumpling him. Hunt would walk away from Struve before the referee could wave off the fight, beginning the legend of the walk-off knockouts in the Octagon.
Hunt would receive a 'Knockout of the Night' bonus and would be immortalized through an image ingrained into fans for lifetimes to come.
Mark Hunt vs. Bigfoot Silva 2 at UFC 193
Hunt and Bigfoot originally faced off in the main event of UFC Fight Night Brisbane, the first time the promotion has held a card in that location. The heavyweights would battle to a 'Fight of the Night' draw. Unfortunately, the decision would be marred by a failed post-fight drug test from Bigfoot Silva, due to elevated testosterone.
The pair would run it back in front of over 56,000 fans at UFC 193: Rousey vs. Holm inside Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.
Bigfoot would be unable to withstand the punches of Hunt the second time around.
Hunt would stalk Bigfoot and eventually land one of his patented right hands, rocking the Brazilian giant, then finish the fight with follow up strikes on the ground.
Mark Hunt vs. Roy Nelson at UFC Fight Night Saitama
When Hunt vs. Nelson was announced, fans knew that we had two of the most devastating one-punch knockout strikers going to face off in the Octagon.
At this point in their respective UFC runs, Hunt had finished Tuchscherer, Kongo and Struve, while Nelson had also stopped Struve, Kongo, along with Brendan Schaub, Mirko Cro Cop, Dave Herman, Matt Mitrione and Minotauro Nogueira.
With both fighters holding such power in their hands, it was a question of who would land first?
Hunt and Nelson would exchange heavy punches in the first, cautious of each others' power.
In the second round, Hunt would find his range with jabs to set up his knockout strike. With Nelson ducking the jab and trying to slip the following right cross, Hunt would back 'Big Country' up toward the cage. As Nelson would attempt to slip the jab, Hunt would connect with an uppercut to the chin of Nelson, adding another walk-off knockout to the Super Samoan's highlight reel.